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'Publicity distorted' Dando case 'Publicity distorted' Dando case
(about 6 hours later)
The barrister for Barry George, cleared of killing presenter Jill Dando, has warned that huge publicity can distort investigations into high-profile cases.The barrister for Barry George, cleared of killing presenter Jill Dando, has warned that huge publicity can distort investigations into high-profile cases.
William Clegg QC said the media pressure on the authorities to find the perpetrator could affect the police's objectivity.William Clegg QC said the media pressure on the authorities to find the perpetrator could affect the police's objectivity.
Mr George, 48, was cleared on Friday of murdering Miss Dando, 37, on the doorstep of her London home in 1999.Mr George, 48, was cleared on Friday of murdering Miss Dando, 37, on the doorstep of her London home in 1999.
The Crown Prosecution Service has said it was right to take the case to court.The Crown Prosecution Service has said it was right to take the case to court.
The police and those responsible for the prosecution need to keep an open mind as far as possible as to who is responsible William Clegg QCDefence barristerThe police and those responsible for the prosecution need to keep an open mind as far as possible as to who is responsible William Clegg QCDefence barrister
Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "All these cases that attract widespread publicity put huge pressure on the police and the prosecuting authorities to try to find the perpetrator and I sometimes feel that that pressure distorts the objectivity that would otherwise be present, were the publicity to be absent."Mr Clegg told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "All these cases that attract widespread publicity put huge pressure on the police and the prosecuting authorities to try to find the perpetrator and I sometimes feel that that pressure distorts the objectivity that would otherwise be present, were the publicity to be absent."
Mr Clegg was also involved in the case of Colin Stagg, who was cleared of the 1992 murder of Rachel Nickell.Mr Clegg was also involved in the case of Colin Stagg, who was cleared of the 1992 murder of Rachel Nickell.
He said there were lessons to be learned from the Dando case.He said there were lessons to be learned from the Dando case.
"In considering a case of this complexity the police and those responsible for the prosecution need to keep an open mind as far as possible as to who is responsible.... I think they did close their mind after the arrest of Barry George," he said."In considering a case of this complexity the police and those responsible for the prosecution need to keep an open mind as far as possible as to who is responsible.... I think they did close their mind after the arrest of Barry George," he said.
'Overwhelmed''Overwhelmed'
In a statement issued through his solicitor Jeremy Moore after Friday's verdict, Mr George said he was "overwhelmed". Mr George's psychologist, Dr Susan Young, said on Saturday he was still overwhelmed.
"He still is bewildered and overwhelmed. I mean the past 24 hours have just been so hectic and quite manic. There's hardly been a moment to think really. I mean it's just been a very fast, rapid pace."
Barry George's solicitor reacts to the verdictBarry George's solicitor reacts to the verdict
Mr Moore said he would not be surprised if Mr George sought compensation for the time wrongly spent in jail.
Scotland Yard said it was disappointed by the verdict but respected the decision of the court.Scotland Yard said it was disappointed by the verdict but respected the decision of the court.
"We will be reflecting on today's verdict and considering how best to proceed," said Simon Foy, head of Scotland Yard's homicide and serious crime command."We will be reflecting on today's verdict and considering how best to proceed," said Simon Foy, head of Scotland Yard's homicide and serious crime command.
Mr George's sister Michelle Diskin, who has led the fight for his release, said she was really delighted to finally have justice.Mr George's sister Michelle Diskin, who has led the fight for his release, said she was really delighted to finally have justice.
Jacqui Hames, who served in the Metropolitan Police for 25 years and worked alongside Miss Dando on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, said her thoughts were with Miss Dando's family and friends.Jacqui Hames, who served in the Metropolitan Police for 25 years and worked alongside Miss Dando on the BBC's Crimewatch programme, said her thoughts were with Miss Dando's family and friends.
"Any result like this is always difficult for family members because it re-opens all the old wounds," she said."Any result like this is always difficult for family members because it re-opens all the old wounds," she said.
"And that line drawn underneath what happened has now disappeared and there is the prospect of at least a review if not a re-investigation into the case.""And that line drawn underneath what happened has now disappeared and there is the prospect of at least a review if not a re-investigation into the case."